B in physics 1 (basic freshman mechanics) = bad?

In summary, the person is a physics/math major at a good university and is concerned about their B grade in a mechanics course due to test anxiety. They are worried about the impact on their physics GPA for grad school but others reassure them that grad schools look more at upper level classes. The person is also frustrated with their university's grading system.
  • #1
walkhard
4
0
ok, I am of one of those good universities and going to be a physics/math major. I was taking matter and Interaction 1 ( mechanics course honors for freshman), I was doing well in the course attaining very well low As around 88-90, the point drop is significant as 1 question weighs 25 points and a single simple mistake accounts for a 5 points score drop. I also thought I did well in the final (as usually I have test anxiety) but later as I looked at my grade it was a B (our university only gives A or B or C no A+, B+ stuff), apart from being raged, knowing that I understood the material but failed due to test anxiety, I am worried that it will hurt my physics gpa for grad school. I have emailed the professor to discuss with me my mistakes.

The basic question is will this have a significant impact on grad school application, since I am a physics major and have a B in basic mechanics? I know that I understand the material well and I will be able to do well in the future (not crying or anything, jus worried)

thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
think it's safe to say you're fine
 
  • #3
I think grad schools would look at your upper level classes way more than your lower level classes. I'll wouldn't be too worry about a low level course.
 
  • #4
Well it's not good, but no one is going to punt you over it.



They might wonder about your suceptability to advertising, though.
 
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  • #5
That's pretty bad, actually. Even A's are bad. All the grad students I know had special letters assigned as their grade because their scores were so high.
 
  • #6
Don't worry about the grade. You've merely found out that your in-class exams don't really reflect your understanding of the material. If you're confident in your abilities, then that's all you really need. Grad schools won't look down on you if you got a stupid B in a course way back when.
 
  • #7
damn it.. My school has so many physics olympiads.. Sometimes I don't know how to grab some As from them.. They've been trained months or years to solve the most difficult questions for undergrad level..
 
  • #8
Poop-Loops said:
That's pretty bad, actually. Even A's are bad. All the grad students I know had special letters assigned as their grade because their scores were so high.

That sounds silly, but then again I've never been to graduate school.

The only "special" symbols I ever remember were when a plus or minus (+/-) scale was used. It sounds more like a semantics issue over what an "A" is or isn't. If you define your scale such that an "A" is the highest, then, no matter how high you score, you'll only have an "A".

CS
 
  • #9
stewartcs said:
That sounds silly, but then again I've never been to graduate school.

The only "special" symbols I ever remember were when a plus or minus (+/-) scale was used. It sounds more like a semantics issue over what an "A" is or isn't. If you define your scale such that an "A" is the highest, then, no matter how high you score, you'll only have an "A".

CS

He/she was being sarcastic. :P
 

FAQ: B in physics 1 (basic freshman mechanics) = bad?

Why is B in physics 1 considered bad?

B in physics 1 is typically considered bad because it is a relatively low grade for a foundational course in physics. This grade may indicate a lack of understanding or mastery of the basic principles and concepts taught in the course.

How will getting a B in physics 1 affect my future studies?

Getting a B in physics 1 may affect your future studies if you plan to pursue a career in a field that heavily relies on physics, such as engineering or astrophysics. It may also impact your ability to take advanced physics courses in college.

Can I still succeed in physics with a B in physics 1?

Yes, it is still possible to succeed in physics with a B in physics 1. However, it may require extra effort and dedication to fully understand the concepts that were not grasped in the introductory course.

How can I improve my grade in physics 1 if I am struggling?

If you are struggling in physics 1, it is important to seek help from your professor or a tutor. You can also try studying with a group or finding additional resources, such as online tutorials or practice problems. Consistently practicing and reviewing the material can also help improve your understanding and grade.

Will a B in physics 1 impact my future career opportunities?

A B in physics 1 may not significantly impact your future career opportunities, as long as you are able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject matter in other ways, such as through internships, research projects, or advanced coursework. However, it is important to strive for a solid understanding of the concepts in physics 1, as they may be important for future career opportunities in certain fields.

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